Ryan Truex must step away from "best team" in his NASCAR career

[FLRacingFan]

Major bummer considering he was in contention for a Chase berth.

Not since winning back-to-back championships in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in 2009 and 2010 has Ryan Truex had the opportunity to compete fulltime in a NASCAR national series ride.

It looked like that would change this season when a last-minute deal came together for Truex to compete in the Truck Series with Hattori Racing Enterprises.

Despite a second-place finish in the series opener at Daytona and his sixth-place rank in the series standings, Truex will miss the next two Truck races as HRE is partnering with Rette Jones Racing to put Jesse Little behind the wheel of the No. 81 Toyota.

“Shige Hattori (team owner) told me he didn’t know if we’d be able to run the full season, but then we didn’t expect to run second at Daytona and this deep in the season be top-six in points,” Truex told Motorsport.com Wednesday night.

“I think the start of the year took us a little bit by surprise. I knew I could do it as a driver, it just took the right combo with me, the team and the trucks and everything. It’s amazing when you consider we have had about three trucks in the shop this season.
.....

The rest is in here: http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-tr...y-from-best-team-in-his-nascar-career-751929/

 

[HoneyBadger]

Truex raced for Joe Gibbs in XFINITY one season. So, I wouldn't call Hattori "the best team in his NASCAR career".

Years ago, people were saying he'd win multiple Cup championships. I got flamed on here for saying K&N isn't a good measure of success.

Dude has potential but, when you get an opportunity with Joe Gibbs Racing and don't make the most of it, you become bantha fodder.

Still, hate that he's having to step aside when he's in Chase contention.

 

[pudge]

that sucks

 

[Kiante]

Little got a ride for two races?

Why the hell would they do that and move Truex out for two races. Little a ride buyer or am I missing something?

Ryan cannot catch a break for anything.

 

[ted@economy]

Little got a ride for two races?

Little a ride buyer or am I missing something?

In the end, racing is a business. If the owner doesn't get the car to the track , nobody can race it. I'm sure Truex knows that a well as anybody.

 

[dpkimmel2001]

In the end, racing is a business. If the owner doesn't get the car to the track , nobody can race it. I'm sure Truex knows that a well as anybody.

Except that it is being raced with another driver behind the wheel. Sucks just the same though.

 

[Naitch]

Truex raced for Joe Gibbs in XFINITY one season. So, I wouldn't call Hattori "the best team in his NASCAR career".

Years ago, people were saying he'd win multiple Cup championships. I got flamed on here for saying K&N isn't a good measure of success.

Dude has potential but, when you get an opportunity with Joe Gibbs Racing and don't make the most of it, you become bantha fodder.

Still, hate that he's having to step aside when he's in Chase contention.

He only made 12 starts for JGR spread across the 2011-2012 seasons. In those 12 starts, he got 8 top 10s (including a 2nd at Dover). I think he did pretty well considering the limited seat time

 

[Zerkfitting]

If a driver can bring a sponsor they get to drive. Drivers do what they can to get a chance. It sounds like Truex and Little are doing what they can to get to the next step in their careers.

 

[ted@economy]

Except that it is being raced with another driver behind the wheel. Sucks just the same though.

I would guess that the other driver came with some sponsorship money . A temporary driver change would sure be an inconvenience for any other reason .

 

[sdj]

It's a shame, but, when you boil it down, it is all about the money (funding).

 

[ted@economy]

What are there 1? ,2? , spots a year open up ? The driver with the most sponsorship is first in line . Be nice if it was just about talent , but those days are long gone . People like me who spend no money spnsoring racecars , got no say in it .